By
DANIELLE CETINSKI

Orange's involvement in Centroc, a regional collaboration of councils, could be under review

ANOTHER LEVEL OF BUREAUCRACY: Councillor Glenn Taylor has questioned Centroc's value to Orange City Council.

ORANGE’S involvement in Centroc, a regional collaboration of councils, could be under review, with a report requested on its value for money.

Councillor Glenn Taylor asked for the report on the value Orange City Council gained from the partnership after Centroc dismissed his idea to buy a tanker to deliver fuel to member councils.

Cr Taylor proposed the idea for the $430,000 tanker in September as a way to save money for ratepayers, however Centroc determined the existing supply arrangement was cheaper per litre than the terminal gate price.

“It’s disappointing it was dismissed so quickly - it shows they are not being too creative,” he said.

“I think it’s highly political, just wheels within wheels turning.”

Cr Taylor said Orange City Council spent a significant amount of money on being a part of Centroc, both in membership fees and the cost of sending council representatives to meetings.

“They talk about the road over the Blue Mountains, which never seems to go anywhere much,” he said.

“It’s turned into another level of bureaucracy.

“Councillors need to read [the report] carefully over whether they believe it’s good value for money or if it’s just a talkfest.”

Orange bayor John Davis said Cr Taylor had every right to ask the question, but believed Centroc had been invaluable in supporting Orange City Council’s state and federal grant applications, including Orange Aquatic Centre and Anzac Park.

“I believe Orange City Council has gained more than any other council,” he said.

“It’s certainly been the case in the last 10-15 years that governments want to talk on a regional basis, not as individuals.”

He said the fuel tanker proposal may have been too direct for the other member councils.

“Across 15 council areas, there is more than one agent for petrol distribution - it might be too big to get one council to do it,” he said.